2016 Recap - The Horror Films

2016 was a solid year for the horror genre but maybe not one of its best. There were several films that really stood out and there were others that needed a bit more work or just didn't live up to their potential. Below, you will find a list of all the horror movies I saw this year broken into three categories along with the recipient of my favorite horror film of the year.

The Conjuring 2 - Movie Review

The Movie: The Conjuring 2

The Director: James Wan (Furious 7)

The Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Frances O'Connor, Simon McBurney, Franka Potente, Madison Wolfe, Lauren Esposito, Benjamin Haigh, and Patrick McAuley.

The Story: Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by a malicious spirit. (From IMDB)

Why Him? - Movie Review

The Movie: Why Him?

The Director: John Hamburg (I Love You, Man)

The Cast: James Franco, Zoey Deutch, Bryan Cranston, Megan Mullally, Keegan-Michael Key, Griffin Gluck, Zack Pearlman, and Cedric the Entertainer.

The Story: A college student invites her family to spend their Christmas vacation with her and her eccentric boyfriend so they can get to know each other.

The Monster (TFF 2016) - Movie Review

The Monster, an official selection of the 2016 Tacoma Film Festival, tells the story of what could happen when your car breaks down on a little used stretch of highway in the middle of a forest at 12:15am. The movie was directed by Bryan Bertino and features acting performances by Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, and Aaron Douglas.

Passengers - Movie Review

The Movie: Passengers

The Director: Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game)

The Cast: Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Sheen, and Andy Garcia

The Story: A malfunctioning spacecraft heading to a colonization planet causes two people to be woken up from cryosleep 90 years too soon and they need to figure out why before disaster strikes.

Now You See Me 2 - Movie Review

The Movie:
Now You See Me 2 brings back the Four Horseman and their bag of tricks to match up against an unknown foe who seems to have their number.The film was directed by Jon M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) and features Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Sanaa Lathan, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Jay Chou, and Tsai Chin.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - Movie Review

The Movie:
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the latest installment of the Star Wars saga and tells the story of how the rebel alliance obtained the plans for the infamous Death Star battle station. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the movie features acting performances from Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan Tudyk, Donnie Yen, Wen Jiang, Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelson, Jimmy Smits, and James Earl Jones.

La La Land - Movie Review

The Movie:
La La Land is a comedic musical drama about a musician and an actress who inadvertently and inexplicably cross paths on their way to fame. The film was written and directed by Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) and features acting performances from Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, J.K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Callie Hernandez, Finn Wittrock, and John Legend.

Office Christmas Party - Movie Review

The Movie:
Office Christmas Party is a holiday comedy about an office Christmas party. The movie was directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck and features a star studded cast that includes Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, TJ Miller, Jennifer Aniston, Jillian Bell, Kate McKinnon, Rob Corddry, Sam Richardson, Randall Park, Jamie Chung, Abbey Lee, and Karan Soni.

Hacksaw Ridge - Movie Review

The Movie:
Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story about a young man who enlisted into the army during World War II and became one of America's greatest heroes without ever holding a gun. The film was directed by Mel Gibson and features acting performances from Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Vince Vaughn, Luke Bracey, Hugo Weaving, and Teresa Palmer.

Hell or High Water - Movie Review

Hell or High Water was directed by David MacKenzie from a screenplay written by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario). The film, starring Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges, and Gil Birmingham, follows two brothers as they execute a scheme to keep from losing their family ranch and the pair of Texas Rangers who are hot on their trail.

Nocturnal Animals - Movie Review

The Movie:
Nocturnal Animals, written and directed by Tom Ford, is a dramatic thriller about a writer whose violent novel has his ex wife wondering if he may be seeking revenge for their failed marriage. The film features acting performances from Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Karl Glusman, Robert Aramayo, and Laura Linney.

Sky on Fire (Chongtian huo) - Movie Review

Sky on Fire is an action thriller that follows a security lead of a high tech pharmaceutical company who must keep top secret stem cell research from falling into the wrong hands. The movie was written and directed by Ringo Lam and features acting performances from Daniel Wu, Simon Yam, Hsiao-chuan Chang, Amber Kuo, Ka Tung Lam, Leon Lai, and Jingchu Zhang.

Manchester by the Sea - Movie Review

Manchester by the Sea, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, follows a man who must deal with his brother's death, the will that leaves him as the guardian of his 16 year old nephew, and a return to the hometown that he had to get away from. The film features acting performances from Casey Affleck, Kyle Chandler, Michelle Williams, and Lucas Hedges.

Bleed for This - Movie Review

Bleed for This, written, produced, and directed by Ben Younger, is based on the true story of boxer Vinny Pazienza and his struggle to return to the ring after a near fatal car crash. The film features Miles Teller in the starring role as well as Aaron Eckhart, Amanda Clayton, Christine Evangelista, Ciarán Hinds, Ted Levine, and Katey Segal.

Loving - Movie Review

Loving, written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special, Mud), reveals the true story of an interracial couple living in 1950's Virginia who are arrested simply for being married. The film features acting performances from Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton, Terri Abney, Sharon Blackwood, Marton Csokas, Nick Kroll, Jon Bass, and Michael Shannon.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - IMAX or Cinerama

Do you plan on seeing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story when it comes out on December 16th? Do you know where you are going to see it and which theater will give you the biggest and best experience? My comparison of Seattle area theaters will help you make that oh so important decision!

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned (가려진 시간) - Movie Review

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned tells the story of a legendary object that has the ability to stop time for those who find it and how it affects their lives for better or worse. The film, written and directed by Tae-hwa Eom, features acting performances from Hyo-je Lee, Eun-soo Shin, Dong-won Gang, and Hee-won Kim.

Moana - Movie Review

Moana, created by Walt Disney Animation Studios, introduces audiences to a young girl who will be chief of her island tribe and a demigod who must help her save the world. The film features vocal performances from Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, Sina, and Alan Tudyk.

Allied - Movie Review

Allied, written by Steven Knight and directed by Robert Zemeckis, is a dramatic story of espionage and romance set in Morocco and London during World War II. The film features acting performances from Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, Lizzy Caplan, Simon McBurney, and Matthew Goode.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Japanese Posters

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is sure to be a global phenomenon when it is released in December so it makes sense that we are starting to see marketing materials hitting the internet from other countries. I really like the look of the Japanese character posters and especially since they highlight a very diverse cast of characters to go along with the female lead played by Felicity Jones.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Movie Review

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, directed by David Yates, is the most recent cinematic adaptation of the wizarding world found in the best selling J.K. Rowlings novels. The film features performances from Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, Carmen Ejogo. Jon Voigt, Alison Sudol, Ron Perlman, Zoë Kravitz, and Dan Fogler.

Inferno - Movie Review

Inferno, directed by Ron Howard, continues the adventures of professor Robert Langdon originally made famous by the best selling Dan Brown novels. The film's cast includes Tom Hanks in the starring role along with Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Irrfan Khan, and Ben Foster.

The Bodyguard (超级保镖) (HIFF 2016) - Movie Review

The Bodyguard, an official selection of the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival, is an action packed kung fu film that pits super powered brothers against each other. Written and directed by Yue Song, the film stars Wai Man Chan, Collin Chou, Yue Song, Xing Yu, and Li YuFei.

Arrival - Movie Review

Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Prisoners), follows a linguist and a physicist as they attempt to figure out how to understand and translate the communications of a recently arrived alien species. The film features acting performances from Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mark O'Brien, and Tzi Ma.

Shut In - Movie Review

Shut In, directed by Farren Blackburn, is a thriller that takes us into the secluded home of a woman who is desperately trying to find a missing boy as a snowstorm approaches. The film features acting performances from Naomi Watts (The Impossible), Oliver Platt (Chef), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), and Jacob Tremblay (Room).

Seoul Station (서울역) (HIFF 2016) - Movie Review

Seoul Station, an official selection of the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival, is an animated feature and predecessor to the smash hit Korean zombie action film, Train to Busan, both of which were written and directed by Sang-ho Yeon. The film, which shows the original zombie outbreak that leads the events of Train to Busan, features voice acting contributions from Seung-ryong Ryu, Franciska Friede, and Joon Lee.

Pete's Dragon - Movie Review

Pete's Dragon, adapted for the screen and directed by David Lowery, travels into the forest home of a mystical creature, and the lost young boy he has been protecting, as construction and demolition looms on the horizon. The Disney Picture release features performances from Bryce Dallas Howard, Robert Redford, Karl Urban, Wes Bentley, Oona Laurence, and Oakes Fegley.

Sadako vs Kayako (貞子 vs. 伽椰子) (HIFF 2016) - Movie Review

Sadako vs Kayako, an official selection of the 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival, brings together the ghouls from The Ring and The Grudge for an all out supernatural slug fest. The film, directed by Kôji Shiraishi features acting performances from Mizuki Yamamoto, Tina Tamashiro, Aimi Satsukawa, Masahiro Kômoto, Masanobu Andô, and Maiko Kikuchi.

Green Room - Movie Review

Green Room, written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, follows an indie rock bands descent into a nightmare of survival against the owners and patrons of a neo-nazi skinhead bar. The film features acting performances from Anton Yelchin, Patrick Stewart, Imogeen Poots, Alia Shawkat, Callum Turner, and Macon Blair.

Morris from America (SIFF 2016) - Movie Review

Morris from America, an official selection of the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival, follows a father and his 13 year old son as they move from New York to Germany. Directed by Chad Hartigan, the film stars Craig Robinson, Markees Christmas, Carla Juri, Patrick Güldenberg, and Lina Keller.

Doctor Strange - Movie Review

Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister), introduces the Sorcerer Supreme and his magical ways into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and puts him up against a challenge that, if not stopped, could send the entire world into a dark and terrible existence. The film features acting performances from Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelson, and Tilda Swinton.

X-Men: Apocalypse - Movie Review

X-Men Apocalypse, directed by Bryan Singer, sees Professor X's mutant band of heroes face off against an unstoppable foe who just happens to be the original, most historical mutant of all time. The movie features an all star cast including Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters, Sophie Turner, Lucas Till, and Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Hugh Jackman.

Operation Chromite (인천상륙작전) - Movie Review

Operation Chromite (인천상륙작전), directed by John H. Lee, uncovers a secret mission, ordered by General Douglas MacArthur, that would either help to win the Korean War or, if not successful, would simply send a group of brave men to their deaths. The movie features acting performances from Jeong-jae Lee, Beom-soo Lee, Se-yeon Jin, Joon-ho Jeong, Byeong-ok Kim, Geum-seong Kil, and Liam Neeson as General Douglas MacArthur.

The Handmaiden (아가씨) - Movie Review

The Handmaiden, co-written and directed by Chan-wook Park, is a 1930's crime thriller filled with deceit, debauchery, and double crosses as a con man tries to steal an inheritance from a secluded young woman. The film features acting performances from Min-hee Kim, Kim Tae-ri, Jung-woo Ha, and Jin-woong Jo.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back - Movie Review

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, produced by and starring Tom Cruise, sees the return of the titular hero made famous by the series of novels written by Lee Child. The movie was directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond) and features supporting performances from Cobie Smulders (Avengers), Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton), Danika Yarosh, and Patrick Heusinger (Black Swan).

Luck-Key - Movie Review

Luck-Key, directed by Gye-beok Lee, is a remake of a Japanese film called Key of Life and tells the tale of two men who switch lives after an accident leaves one man with amnesia and the other with a new lease on life. The film features acting performances from, Hae-jin Yoo, Lee Joon, Yoon-hee Jo, Ji-yeon Lim, Hye-bin Jeon, Dong-hwi Lee.

Keeping Up with the Joneses - Movie Review

Keeping Up with the Joneses, directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland), shows us what might happen if an international spy couple were to invade the perfect suburban neighborhood. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Jon Hamm, Gal Gadot, Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Matt Walsh, and Kevin Dunn.

TwoOhSix Picks - 2016 Hawaii International Film Festival

Aloha! I am very excited to once again be providing press coverage for the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) which features a very unique perspective on film making while focusing on movies that come from all over the world with a heavy influence from the Asia/Pacific regions. After perusing this year's festival schedule, I have hand picked a selection of the films that I personally would not want to miss along with a few I have already seen and would highly recommend.

Trespass Against Us (TFF 2016) - Movie Review

Trespass Against Us, an official selection of the 2016 Tacoma Film Festival, gives us a glimpse into the lives of the Cutler clan who lives as outlaws on a British countryside compound. The film was directed by Adam Smith and features Michael Fassbender in the starring role with supporting performances from Brendan Gleeson, Lindsey Marshal, Sean Harris, and Rory Kinnear.

Ouija: Origin of Evil - Movie Review

Ouija: Origin of Evil tells the story of how a board game became the source of evil shenanigans thanks to some really bad historical happenings. The film was written and directed by Mike Flanagan (Oculus) and features acting performances from Elizabeth Reaser, Annalise Basso, Lulu Wilson, Henry Thomas, Parker Mack, and Doug Jones.

Operation Mekong aka Mei Gong he xing dong - Movie Review

Operation Mekong, directed by Dante Lam, is based on real events that took place in 2011 where 13 cargo ship crew members were killed by a drug lord in what is known as the Golden Triangle, a section of land that connects Myanmar, Laos and Thailand. The film features acting performances from Hanyu Zhang, Eddie Peng, Wenjuan Feng, Baoguo Chen, and Xudong Wu.

The Accountant - Movie Review

The Accountant, directed by Gavin O'Connor (Warrior), follows a Treasury Department investigation into a math genius who handles books for illegal organizations around the world. The film features acting performances from Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, John Lithgow, and Alison Wright.

Asura: The City of Madness - Movie Review

Asura: The City of Madness, directed by Sung-su Kim, follows a corrupt cop down a bloody path of corruption and politics as he plays both sides of an investigation between prosecutors and the city's mayor. The film features acting performances from Woo-sung Jung, Jung-min Hwang, Ji-hun Ju, Do Wan Kwak, and Man-sik Jeong.